Manager, Data Science & Analytics

Public Health Ontario•Toronto, ON

1d•CA$103,157 - CA$128,973•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for the operational management and delivery of both traditional and advanced analytical capabilities and of enterprise analytics services and products supporting PHO’s Digital & Data strategy, organizational priorities and mandate. Managing a shared services hub for analytics, the Manager oversees day-to-day operations, establishes and maintains best practices, monitors emerging analytic practices and methodologies, provides analytical support to internal clients and external partners such as OCMOH and PHUs, and facilitates analytics training.

Requirements

Knowledge of, and expertise in the field of public health, notably epidemiology/analytic skills and understanding of the field’s current theory, research and innovations; content expertise through success in published reports, peer reviewed publications or research.
Knowledge of, and expertise in the fields of product management, data science including artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and information management.
Understanding of data visualization methods and business intelligence solutions and their application, with expertise utilizing a range of data analysis sources and methods at diverse jurisdictional levels.
Demonstrated understanding, knowledge of, and expertise in project management methods and techniques; skilled in managing multiple concurrent projects and delivering measurable results.
Knowledge of the roles and authority of external stakeholders to support effective operational planning and stakeholder engagement within the health system.
Understanding of the Canadian and Ontario public health context and health care systems.
Knowledge of complex information systems and software programs including business intelligence, statistical, visualization or GIS software.
Knowledge of enterprise data platforms (e.g., Azure, Fabric) and cloud-based analytics.
Understanding of information security, privacy, and data governance frameworks in a public sector health environment.
Master’s degree in health administration, public health, analytics, epidemiology, or a related discipline is required; an equivalent combination of relevant education and progressive experience will be considered.
Three to five (3 to 5) years’ progressive experience managing in a local, provincial or federal health organization, with a demonstrated focus on data science, analytics, or informatics management.
Background in health care or a related health sector is required; experience in a public health or provincial/local public health setting is strongly preferred.
Proven experience in management of the development, application and interpretation of performance indicators such as the Association of Public Health Epidemiologists of Ontario (APHEO) Core Indicators.
Demonstrated ability to effectively manage, develop, and retain multi-disciplinary professional staff, including setting clear expectations, managing performance, supporting career development, and navigating HR matters in accordance with Collective Agreement requirements.
Experience operating within enterprise service delivery or shared service models.
Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical and scientific concepts into clear, accessible language for non-technical audiences, senior executives, and diverse stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to prepare high-quality briefings, reports, presentations, and other written materials that effectively communicate analytic findings, recommendations, and program updates to a range of audiences.
Demonstrated negotiation and facilitation skills to promote stakeholder participation in programs; ability to manage competing interests and reach consensus in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment.
Establishes and maintains clear service standards for the unit; proactively identifies client needs, monitors satisfaction, and adjusts service delivery approaches to consistently meet or exceed stakeholder expectations.
Manages the provision of data science and analytic services internally to program areas across PHO and, in support of PHO's mandate, to public health units, professional associations, and other health system partners.
Continuously evaluates the unit’s service offerings and implements process improvements to optimize quality, responsiveness, and the overall client experience.
Ensures operational effectiveness and efficiency across areas of responsibility, including proactive planning, issue resolution, and continuous quality improvement.
Exercises independent judgment in managing day-to-day operations, technical direction, and resource allocation within established policies and budget authorities; escalates decisions with significant financial, reputational, or cross-organizational implications to the Director.
Implements and supports operational plans relating to business intelligence, epidemiological research, population health assessment, public health surveillance, data science/AI, and analytic product management, including execution of the business intelligence/GIS roadmap and data management activities.
Supports research grant applications and partners with scientists in population health assessment, surveillance, and epidemiology studies to advance public health practice.
Acts as a designated lead and subject matter expert on cross-functional PHO teams, ensuring analytic expertise is effectively integrated across organizational initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Background in health care or a related health sector is required; experience in a public health or provincial/local public health setting is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Leads and provides specialized expertise in analytics and data science — including AI, biostatistics, epidemiology, modelling, geospatial analysis, interactive reporting, business intelligence, and data visualization — for research and operational initiatives both internal and external to the organization.
Operates a hub-and-spoke enterprise analytics model, enabling decentralized analytics capabilities across PHO while maintaining centralized standards, platforms, and governance.
Works in collaboration with other areas of Digital & Data and the business to ensure appropriate underlying foundational items are in place, such as infrastructure, governance, analytic tools and processes to facilitate other areas/units to conduct data science and analytics and/or create visualizations/dashboards/analytical products in support of that hub and spoke model.
Manages product roadmaps and the full lifecycle (design, development, release, maintenance, and evaluation) for organizational analytic products and platforms, including Power BI, ESRI ArcGIS, and statistical software applications (e.g., SAS, R, Python); contributes to product strategy development in collaboration with the Director.
Ensures all analytics and data products comply with enterprise data governance, information security, and privacy requirements (e.g., PHIPA/FIPPA), including appropriate use, access controls, and data lifecycle management.
Ensures analytics products drive measurable business and public health outcomes, including performance improvement, decision support, and policy impact.
Manages development and implementation of innovative data visualization methods, health indicators, and advanced analytical approaches including predictive modelling and AI.
Guides population health assessment efforts within the unit and oversees the development, quality assurance, and timely delivery of analytic products and evidence syntheses; ensures all outputs are reviewed through appropriate channels prior to use in external reporting or policy-related submissions.
Drives proactive stakeholder engagement across PHO and with external partners to advance population health assessment, career development initiatives, and the provincial analytics community of practice.
Maintains strong, trust-based relationships with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, by supporting Director-level engagement through the preparation of strategic briefings, coordinated data submissions, and timely technical responses.
Actively manages and sustains external data partnerships, ensuring ongoing alignment with organizational priorities and stakeholder expectations.
In partnership with the Director, develops and aligns program operational plans and goals with PHO’s Annual Business Plan and Strategic Plan; identifies new programs and process improvements within the department.
Manages cost centre budget, performance indicators, and ensures consistency in corporate requirements and approval processes across financial, HR, IT, and business planning functions.
Manages staff in accordance with PHO policies, professional standards, and Collective Agreement requirements, including setting performance objectives, recruitment, training, scheduling, and addressing disciplinary matters and grievances.
Leads change management, aligning with ADKAR principles to support effective and sustained adoption.
Develops and implements change plans, ensures clear and consistent communication of process and analytical tool changes, and actively engages stakeholders to build understanding and readiness.
Monitors adoption and gathers feedback to reinforce changes and ensure successful, lasting transitions.
Manages vendor relationships and software licensing for analytic platforms and tools; contributes to procurement processes including business case development, evaluation criteria, and ongoing contract oversight for technology and professional services agreements.
Develops business cases and proposals for new analytic capabilities, technology investments, and service enhancements; presents recommendations to the Director and senior leadership to inform resource allocation and strategic decision-making.
Establishes and maintains quality assurance standards and methodology frameworks across the unit’s analytic products and outputs, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility.
Models organizational values; acts as subject matter expert on cross-functional PHO teams; represents the unit in working-level engagements with external partners including provincial agencies, academic institutions, and community health organizations; supports the Director in broader government and stakeholder relationships.
Manages and directs multi-disciplinary staff in accordance with PHO policies, professional standards, and Collective Agreement requirements, including performance management, conflict resolution, and disciplinary processes.
Coaches, mentors, and actively develops team members to build individual capability, support career growth, and identify succession opportunities within the unit.